Cumbrian England international flanker Mark Wilson has signed a new four-year deal with Newcastle Falcons.

Wilson, who began playing junior rugby in Penrith, has made 221 appearances for the Kingston Park club and enjoyed a breakthrough year with the national side in 2018, being voted England’s man of the series after the recent Autumn internationals.

After pledging his long-term future to Newcastle, the 29-year-old told the club website: "This is the club that I love and I’ve been here for 14 years of my life, so it’s great to be able to extend that.

"My family is here, I class Newcastle as home, and I enjoy being part of the whole club.

"We get really well looked after here as players, the off-field support is great and I enjoy the coaching every day.

"It means I can just focus purely on getting things right on the field, and that’s what I’m looking forward to doing over the next four years."

After last season enjoying a 20-year-high league position, featuring in three semi-finals, Falcons are currently bottom of the Gallagher Premiership.

But Wilson said: "We had a fantastic season last time round, and while this season has been disappointing, I’m determined to help play a big part in getting us back up to where we know we can be.

"I’ve got absolute faith that we will turn things round this season in what is an incredibly tight league, and it will just take a win or two to get that confidence flowing again.

"We’re working hard in every department and I fully believe we have it in us to push back up the Premiership table, and Kingston Park is definitely where I want to be."

Director of rugby Dean Richards added: "Mark is an outstanding player, operating at the very top-level of the international game, and the fact that he sees his future here at Newcastle Falcons speaks volumes about the club.

"As well as his tremendous playing ability, Mark brings real leadership to the group, and the way he conducts himself day-to-day serves as an outstanding example to the many talented players coming through our academy system."